Abstract: OSHA is considering a negotiated or other consensus-based rulemaking to address the hazards posed by silica. Silica exposure remains a serious threat to nearly 2 million U.S. workers, including more than 100,000 workers in high risk jobs such as abrasive blasting, foundry work, stonecutting, rock drilling, quarry work and tunneling. The seriousness of the health hazards associated with silica exposure is demonstrated by the fatalities and disabling illnesses that continue to occur in sandblasters and rock drillers and by recent studies that indicate a statistically significant increase in lung cancer among silica-exposed workers. Exposure studies and OSHA enforcement data indicate that some workers are still exposed to very high levels of silica. OSHA plans in this rulemaking to modernize and standardize the Agency's current PELs for silica so that they will be consistent across all sectors.

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